US still intends to hold talks with Iran despite Israeli strikes, official says

The United States remains committed to holding a new round of diplomatic negotiations with Iran on June 15, despite Israel’s recent large-scale military strikes on the Islamic Republic, a senior US official confirmed.

"We still intend to have talks Sunday," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity, underscoring Washington’s continued efforts to maintain diplomatic engagement amid rising tensions in the Middle East, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The upcoming negotiations, which will mark the sixth round of talks over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, are to be held in the Omani capital of Muscat. While Iran had previously signaled its willingness to participate, confirmation from Oman came only recently.

“I am pleased to confirm the 6th round of Iran US talks will be held in Muscat this Sunday the 15th,” Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi announced on social media platform X.

The dialogue is set to include US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, a close confidant of President Donald Trump and a seasoned negotiator with prior experience in Iran-related diplomacy.

“Discussions are expected to be both direct and indirect, as in previous rounds,” said a source familiar with Witkoff’s itinerary.

Despite the confirmed scheduling, it remains unclear whether Iranian officials have officially committed to attend, particularly in light of Tehran’s sharp rebuke of Washington in the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes. On June 13, Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a strongly-worded statement blaming the US for the fallout: “The United States was responsible for the consequences” of the attack, the ministry said.

The talks are viewed as a critical opportunity to potentially de-escalate nuclear tensions. A successful agreement could see the easing of US sanctions in exchange for significant curbs on Iran’s uranium enrichment activities. Conversely, a breakdown in negotiations may heighten the risk of further military confrontation.

Failure to secure a deal could accelerate Iran’s nuclear ambitions, strain its already fragile economy, and risk pushing the region closer to open conflict. Analysts warn that Iran could terminate its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and either Israel or the US could launch preemptive strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

The Muscat talks will take place amid broader US contingency measures, including the drawdown of non-essential personnel in the Middle East and warnings about potential maritime threats, reflecting Washington’s concerns over a deteriorating security environment.

Previous rounds of negotiations between the US and Iran have been hosted in both Muscat and Rome.

By Vafa Guliyeva